Artist description Lush and lusty, Swan Vestas’ strategic weapon is Cha Cha Samoa, whose vocals call to mind the insouciance of Ella Fitzgerald, the elfin sexuality of Eartha Kitt, the defiant blues of Bessie Smith and the locomotion of Shirley Bassey, reminiscent but completely new, a velvet glove with an iron grip. The pairing of Ms. Samoa’s vox with the cinematic, sometimes subversively comedic grooves of Demian Shoemaker result in a genre all its own: soulful electronic torch songs. Rounding out this elegant and fecund collective is Neal Hallmark on guitar, tastefully subdued, or not, as the song demands it, and Taryn Webber on cello and angelic backing vocals.

Music Style Electronic pop trip/torch

Musical Influences Massive Attack, Roxy Music, Wire, David Sylvian, St. Etienne

Similar Artists Supreme Beings of Leisure, Lamb, Portishead

Artist History Formed as a duo in 1999, expanded to a full band in Fall of the same year.

Group Members Cha Cha Samoa: voxDemian Shoemaker: guitar, keys & programmingNeal Hallmark: guitarTaryn Webber: cello, bass & backing vox

Instruments Vox, keyboards, guitar, cello, bass

Press Reviews “There are names that carry something with them. As soon as you hear them, you recognize not just who they are, but how they are. Their identity carries with it a value or an energy that separates that name from the pack. ~ Swan Vestas achieve that feat, threading voice, cello and guitar with electronic dance sounds, they create a sound infused with power and passion. A sound that moves across space, with body and depth, giving us an experience of the dreamside of our reality. Lyrically, they key on issues of primal faith, at times the Self, whole and filled with its own identity, sometimes the power of Love to complete and elevate, or, if denied, its power to destroy. ~ Cha Cha Samoa and Demian Shoemaker are the key architects of this house the Vestas and it is Samoa’s voice that fully paints these pictures. Singing with authority and texturing each phrase, her style is unique to this genre. ~ Passionate and complex, the evolution of Swan Vestas is one to watch for and listen to.” (Richard Abraham, Disney Studios)“I’ve long been a fan of Ms. Samoa’s and mourned her departure from music 15 years ago. But having witnessed her rebirth, as the voice of Swan Vestas, I see the hiatus was not ill-spent, for this is now a singer completely in her stride and time has only improved her charms. The band is very impressive, in the most effortless way, and while the genre could be cubby-holed as electronica, it is unique in the craftsmanship of the songs and the power of Cha Cha’s voice. She shows that some things should just be left to the big girls.” (Jonathan Poneman, Sub Pop Records) “One of the best demos I’ve ever been given.” (Robert Fripp)"I think Swan Vestas are groundbreaking and have a beautifully unique sound." (John Garrett, Producer "Chasing The Dragon")"Swan Vestas is one of the most melodically interesting groups I've listened to since Portishead. Cha Cha’s voice is mesmerizing."( Angela Barona, Producer "Chasing The Dragon")

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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